Need Help With BDL Parking

[Wish Upon A Star]

I know this will sound completely stupid, but after all our trips we have never driven to the airport ourselves, we usually have arranged transportation, but this time, since we are doing a budget trip, we will be driving ourselves.

DH wants to drop me and kids and luggage off at the sky cab and then go find long term parking. I don't think that is a wise idea since looking at the interactive map it seems that the long term parking garage is across the way from the airport. Is this correct? Which long term area is better to park in? If we park in the long term garage how do we get to the terminal?

 

[KristinU]

You have several options at Bradley. I've used Avistar many, many times for business travel with no problems. I'm sure the others are comparable, I just have always used them because of corporate rates. It looks like your kids are old enough to help with luggage etc. so honestly, I'd just all park off site and take the shuttle van over together. It adds maybe 10 minutes to your commute to the airport.

The other option you now have at BDL (and what we do for personal travel with a baby-now-toddler) is to park onsite at the long term ramp. It is a bit more expensive, but for us with a stroller and carseat etc. it is worth it. You just park in the ramp and walk on over to the terminal. I think the weekly rate is about $65, which is still cheap compared to many other cities. I've also used on-site when traveling for business with a return flight really late - I don't want to be standing around alone at midnight waiting for the shuttle.

Either way, I honestly don't think your DH dropping you off then parking will save any time or anything. Unless you're traveling with lots and lots of luggage. Even so, in the on-site ramp there are typically abandoned Smarte Cartes around that you can snag. And if you park off site the driver will help you with the luggage (it's nice to tip the driver, esp. with lots of luggage).

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Thank you.

 

[salmoneous]

I wouldn't park in a BDL long-term lot. Personally, I always use Roncari. They are right across the street, you pull in, they take good care of you and drop you off at your terminal. There are some cheaper off-airport lots, but none with better service. I would take them, or even one of the other off-airport lots over Bradley's long-term lots.

 

[CTFamilyCruisers]

Another vote for Roncari. I always use them and they are great. You don't have to touch your luggage - they unload your car, and bring you right to curbside check in. If you work for ANY of the major companies in the Hartford area, you can get their discount. They offer a AAA discount as well. If you are travelling in the winter, you return to a car with the snow cleared off and the heat running. It is SOOOOO nice.

PS - if you are travelling during peak times, you may want to go online and make a reservation. I am a frequent parker so I never have a problem getting in, but I have seen signs indicating they are full during holiday and school vacation weeks.

 

[Snoozan]

Our family is fond of VIP Parking. We drop our car off under their canopy and within 3 minutes are usually on our way to the airport. The drivers are very nice and helpful with the luggage. We pay about $35-$40 dollars for our 5-7 day trips. I highly recommend this company!

 

[PSL]

Another vote for Roncari...we always use our AAA discount too! They are very quick, load and unload your luggage (we always tip). When you return from your trip you call from the baggage claim area and they are right outside waiting for you.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Wow, lots of votes for Roncari . . .

So when we get off the exit towards BDL, where exactly is Roncari located? Where does the shuttle drop you off, right at the sky cab?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kmjmom]

Here's a vote for Westside parking. We have used them a few times and have been very pleased. It was nice to come back on a cold winter night and have the car all cleaned off and heated. Conversely, our car was cooled off and ready to go last summer. The pick ups and drop offs at BDL were quick too.

 

[CTFamilyCruisers]

Wow, lots of votes for Roncari . . .

So when we get off the exit towards BDL, where exactly is Roncari located? Where does the shuttle drop you off, right at the sky cab?

Thanks in advance.

Roncaris right near the airport, next to the Bradley Teletheater. When you get off Exit 40 on I-91 headed to the airport, take the exit onto Route 75 (I believe there is a Ramada right there you can see from the highway.) At the end of the ramp, take a right. Follow a few lights and take a left at the airport. You will pass a few of the airport long term parking lots, and Roncari is on your left (across from all the car rental agencies.) You just pull in, they wave you up to the door, get out, walk inside to tell them when you are coming back and jump on the bus. They will even change your oil, wash your car, etc., if you want the extras. I like the "IN & OUT" which is a mini-detail - my car is spotless when I get home. Somehow they manage to find all those candy wrappers or crumbs my kids leave in the back seat! The driver will ask you what airline you are flying and drop you off curbside. Don't forget to tip the driver since he hauls all your luggage.

On the return, as you head to baggage claim, there are courtesy phones. Pick up the one labeled "Roncari" and give them your ticket number. Get your luggage and head outside for the van. They will load your luggage again - and when you get back your car should be pulled up with the temperature appropriately set for the season.

Definitely check out the discounts - I never see anyone there paying full price. If your company doesn't offer a discount, try AAA or others.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Thank you so much for all your help. . .

I know DH will want to take a test drive so that way he knows right where he is going . . .so I guess we'll be doing a Sunday afternoon drive fairly soon.

On the Roncari sight there is a 20% off discount . . .both DH and I work for municipalities in New Haven County. Do you know of any other discounts besides Hartford Business's and AAA?

 

[gonemousin']

Another vote for Roncari...or Galaxy Self Park (owned by Roncari, but you park your own car and the shuttle van picks you up right at your car...cheaper too). Roncari and Galaxy (they share a driveway) are the closest to BDL and have the BEST service in my experience.

Another easy way to get there (I work right down the street):
I-91N to exit 40 (can't miss the signs for the airport!) - this dumps you on the route 20 connector. Stay straight on the route 20 connector for a few miles. Do not exit (route 20 exits off towards Granby, so at this point you no longer want to follow the signs for route 20) - simply follow the signs for the airport. The expressway will go under a small overpass and turn semi-sharply to the right (still two lanes) and the airport terminals will be on your left. Stay straight through the lights...Roncari/Galaxy Self Park are on your right a short while after you pass the airport terminals and parking garage.

Good luck!! Parking at Bradley is a breeze!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

...hands down for Roncari here!!! WE have used their lot for 8 yrs now and never had a complaint. So convenient to park, take their shuttle right to the airline, check in at curbside and head for the gate.
Upon returning, after we have headed for luggage, i call them on the ground phone in the terminal and while we get our luggage, they arrive to pick us up.

 

[Jeri Lynn]

I have used Avistar and Picollo Parking.

If you do an internet search for "airport parking" and then specify Bradley, you will find sites that will also give you discount coupons, some sites even allow you to reserve your spot.

I have reserved both times, only because we flew out on Thanksgiving Day one year, and the next time the Day after Thanksgiving, and I didn't want to take the chance of not getting a parking spot....although when we got there we probably wouldn't have had a problem.

 

[salmoneous]

Another easy way to get there (I work right down the street):I-91N to exit 40 (can't miss the signs for the airport!) - this dumps you on the route 20 connector. Stay straight on the route 20 connector for a few miles. Do not exit (route 20 exits off towards Granby, so at this point you no longer want to follow the signs for route 20) - simply follow the signs for the airport. The expressway will go under a small overpass and turn semi-sharply to the right (still two lanes) and the airport terminals will be on your left. Stay straight through the lights...Roncari/Galaxy Self Park are on your right a short while after you pass the airport terminals and parking garage.

This is the most straightforward way to get there - not necessarily better, but easier for the first-timer. It's pretty much a no-brainer.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I prefer parking at Bradley's garage. For me, it is very convenient, park and walk across to the curbside checkin. When you get home, walk across the street and you are set to go home.

I hate calling and waiting for the shuttle to come pick me up, then have to go inside to pay. Not a big hassle, but I prefer to just head home.

It is more expensive than offsite parking though. (When I travel for work, I have to park offsite. When I travel on my dime, onsite for me )

 

[kda]

We used to use VIP, until AAA switched to giving a discount for Roncari. Their service has been excellent, and you just need to show your AAA card (even though you can also pick up coupons in the AAA offices).

However, sometimes they're so popular that getting onto the shuttle when we return can be a real challenge because there's so many people trying to get on it from the same flight.

 

[ColleenLovesMinnie]

Another vote for Roncari here - We have always had excellent service from them. On our trip in Feb. when we landed in the snow and were freezing they had our car all warmed for us! The shuttles to the terminals are always running and we have never had to wait for them to bring us or pick us up.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Rpsemont]

We've used a couple different ones, but that's because I have a corporate discount through my company. However, I will say that DH ALWAYS drops us off at the skycap, and then "circle's around" and goes out to Route 147, then parks the car and takes the shuttle back. Since we tip the skycap, it save us having to tip the shuttle driver, too.
I try to print the Boarding Passes on line so I can give him his.